Data processing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

There is provided a data processing apparatus comprising an input means for inputting image data, a memory means for storing the data input by the input means, an output means for outputting the data stored in the memory means, by a predetermined operation, a judgment means for judging whether or not there is the data not yet output by the output means for a predetermined time in the memory means and a transfer means for transferring, in a case where the judgment means judged that there is the data not yet output for the predetermined time, the data stored in the memory means to an another device. Therefore, in a case where a user does not instruct to output the data for a long time and thus it must be kept storing the image data in the memory means, it can be prevented a conventional problem that another processes can not be performed for lack of a remaining free capacity in the memory means.

This is continuation application Ser. No. 09/707,835, filed Nov. 8, 2000abandoned which is a continuation of a application Ser. No. 08/792,575,filed Jan. 30, 1997 which issued on Feb. 6, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No.6,185,009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to data processing apparatus and methodwhich perform a data process of, e.g., image data or the like.

2. Related Background Art

In recent years, there has been proposed that an image formationapparatus such as a digital copy machine or the like is connected to alocal area network (LAN) or the like so as to use such the imageformation apparatus as a printer and a scanner for a personal computeror a work station (WS) on the LAN.

In such a case where the image formation apparatus connected to thenetwork is utilized as the printer, it is possible that a plurality ofusers simultaneously request printing of data. In such the case, theinput data have been previously stored in a memory and then the storeddata are sequentially printed. In such an operation, there has beenknown as one method that the stored data are sorted out by a sheet (orpaper) post-process unit having a plurality of bins and then outputaccording to necessity so as to prevent undesired mixing of recordingsheets or papers.

On the other hand, there has been known as an another method that thedata are kept stored in the memory, and the user operates the imageformation unit or the like to start the printing of data so as not onlyto prevent the undesired mixing of the recording sheets but also toprevent that an another user can see the output recording sheets,whereby confidentiality can be improved.

However, in such the latter method, if the user does not instruct tooutput the data for a long time, it must be kept storing or holding thedata in the memory. Therefore, there is some fear that another processescan not be performed for lack of vacant or free capacity in the memory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide data processingapparatus and method which eliminate such an above-describedconventional problem.

An another object of the present invention is to provide data processingapparatus and method which can effectively utilize a memory.

An another object of the present invention is to provide data processingapparatus and method which can manage data stored in a memory such thatthe data becomes missing.

An another object of the present invention is to provide data processingapparatus and method which can urge to output data stored in a memory.

The above and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing schematic structure of an imageformation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-sectional view showing structure of the image formationapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side-sectional view showing structure of a circulating-typeautomatic original feed unit 4;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing structure of a sheet (or paper)post-process unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of the sheetpost-process unit;

FIG. 6 is a plane view showing a console and display panel 600 which isprovided on a main body composed of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit2;

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining structure of a network;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing structure of a core unit 308 of animage input/output control unit 3;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing procedure of an operation process of theimage formation apparatus; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing procedure of the operation process ofthe image formation apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an image formation apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will be explained in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematicstructure of the image formation apparatus, and FIG. 2 is aside-sectional view showing the concrete structure of the imageformation apparatus.

The image formation apparatus according to the present embodiment has,as main parts, an image input unit (i.e., a reader unit) 1, an imageoutput unit (i.e., a printer unit) 2, an image input/output control unit3, a circulating-type automatic original feed unit (i.e., an originalfeed unit) 4 and a sheet (or paper) post-process unit 5. A main body ofthe image formation apparatus is composed-of the reader unit 1 and theprinter unit 2.

Initially, the structure of the reader unit 1 and the structure of theprinter unit 2 will be explained. The reader unit 1, which converts animage on an original into digital image data, has an original mountingboard (i.e., a platen glass plane) 101, a scanner unit 104 including alamp 102 and a mirror 103, mirrors 105 and 106, a lens 107, and an imagesensor unit (CCD) 108 including photoelectric conversion elements.

The printer unit 2 is an image formation means which outputs the imagedata onto a sheet or a paper as a visible image in response to printorder. The printer unit 2 has an exposure control unit 201, aphotosensitive body 202, a development unit 203, a plurality kinds ofrecording sheet (or paper) cassettes 204 and 205, a transfer unit 206, afixing unit 207, a sheet (or paper) discharge unit 208, a feedingdirection switch member 209, a re-supply sheet (or paper) mounting unit210 and a feed roller 211.

Then, operations of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will beexplained hereinafter. In the reader unit 1, the plurality of sheets,i.e., the original, mounted on the circulating-type automatic originalfeed unit 4 are sequentially fed onto the platen glass plane 101 one byone. The structure and operation of the circulating-type automaticoriginal feed unit 4 will be explained later. When the original is fedat a predetermined position on the platen glass plane 101, the lamp 102in the scanner unit 104 is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves toirradiate the original. A reflected light supplied from the original isinput into the image sensor unit (CCD) 108 via the mirrors 103, 105 and106, and the lens 107. Then, the reflected light supplied from theoriginal and input into the CCD 108 is subjected to an electricalprocess such as photoelectric conversion or the like and then subjectedto an ordinary digital process. After then, an obtaineddigital-processed signal is input into the printer unit 2.

In the printer unit 2, the image signal input into the printer unit 2 ismodulated and converted into an optical signal by the exposure controlunit 201, and then irradiated onto the photosensitive body 202. A latentimage which is formed on the photosensitive body 202 by irradiatedlights is developed by the development unit 203. The sheet is fed fromthe recording sheet cassette 204 or 205 such that a leading edge thereofis in alignment with an edge of the development unit 203, and then thedeveloped image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer unit 206.The transferred image is fixed to the sheet by the fixing unit 207 andthen discharged or output from the sheet discharge unit 208. The sheetswhich were output from the sheet discharge unit 208 are sorted and/orstapled by the sheet post-process unit 5, in accordance with apreviously-designated operation mode. The structure and operation of thesheet post-process unit 5 will be explained later.

In a case where the images which are sequentially read are output ontoboth sides or surfaces of the single sheet, the sheet which was fixed bythe fixing unit 207 is once fed to the sheet discharge unit 208. Then, afeeding direction of the sheet is inverted and the sheet is again fed tothe re-supply sheet mounting unit 210 via the feeding direction switchmember. Thereafter, when the next original is prepared, the originalimage thereof is read in the same manner as that in an above process. Inthis case, the sheet to which the image is transferred is fed from there-supply sheet mounting unit 210, whereby the original imagescorresponding to two pages can be output respectively onto the front andrear surface of the same sheet.

Subsequently, the structure of the image input/output control unit 3will be explained hereinafter. The image input/output control unit 3 hasvarious kinds of functions and is electrically connected to the readerunit 1 via a cable. The image input/output control unit 3 has afacsimile unit 301 for performing facsimile transmission and receptionvia a telephone line, a hard disk 302 connected to the facsimile unit301, a file unit 304 for converting various kinds of originalinformation into electrical signals and storing them into an externalmemory unit 303 such as an optimagnetic disk or the like, a networkinterface unit 305 connected to a network such as a LAN, a formatterunit 306 for generating the visible image from the image information bydeveloping cord information such as PDL (page description language) orthe like from a computer on the LAN into the image information, an imagememory unit 307 for storing the image information read by the readerunit 1 and temporarily storing the information sent from the computer onthe LAN, a core unit 308 for controlling the various kinds of functions,and the like. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 6 denotes the LAN to whichperipheral equipments such as a personal computer (PC), a work station(WS) and the like are connected. The LAN 6 is further connected to thenetwork interface unit 305.

Subsequently, the operation of the image input/output control unit 3will be explained hereinafter. The image signal which was input from theimage input/output control unit 3 into the printer unit 2 via the readerunit 1 is fixed as the visible image to the sheet by the fixing unit207. Then, the sheet on which the visible image was formed is fed in adirection of the re-supply sheet mounting unit 210 via the feedingdirection switch member 209. In this case, when the sheet passes thefeeding direction switch member 209, the feeding direction switch member209 is switched and simultaneously the feed rollers 211 are inverselyrotated, whereby the sheet is discharged or ejected from the imageoutput unit 2 via the sheet discharge unit 208.

Then, the structure of the circulating-type automatic original feed unit4 will be explained hereinafter. FIG. 3 is a side-sectional view showingthe structure of the circulating-type automatic original feed unit 4.This feed unit 4 has an original mounting tray 401 on which a bundle oforiginals is mounted or placed. The original mounting tray 401 furtherhas a feed unit which structures one part of an original feed unit.

The feed unit has a half-moon roller 402, separation feed rollers 403, aseparation motor SPRMTR (not shown), resist rollers 404, a full-surfacebelt 405, a belt motor BELTMTR (not shown), a large feed roller 406, afeed motor FEEDMTR (not shown), discharge motors 407, a flapper 408, arecycle lever 409, a sheet (or paper) feed sensor ENTS (not shown), aninversion (or turning) sensor TRNS (not shown), a sheet discharge (orejection) sensor EJTS (not shown) and the like.

Subsequently, the operation of the circulating-type automatic originalfeed unit 4 will be explained hereinafter. The half-moon roller 402 andthe separation feed rollers 403 which are rotated by the separationmotor SPRMTR are structured or separate the original one by one from alowermost portion of the original bundle mounted on the originalmounting tray 401. The resist rollers 404 and the full-surface belt 405feed the original which was rotated and separated from the bundle by thebelt motor BELTMTR up to an exposure position (in an original path c) onthe platen glass plane 101, via original paths a and b. The large feedroller 406 which is rotated by the feed motor FEEDMTR feeds the originalon the platen glass plane 101 from the original path c into an originalpath e. The original which was fed into the original path e is returnedup to an uppermost portion of the original bundle on the originalmounting tray 401 by the sheet discharge rollers 407.

The recycle lever 409 detects one cyclical feeding of the originals.That is, the recycle lever 409 is placed on the original bundle when theoriginal feeding starts, and then the originals are sequentially fed.Subsequently, when a trailing edge of the final original passed therecycle lever 409, the recycle lever falls due to its weight, therebydetecting one cyclical feeding of the originals. In case of feedingtwo-face (i.e., both-face) originals, the original is once fed from theoriginal paths a and b into the original path c by the original feedunit, and then the large feed roller 406 is rotated and the flapper 408is switched, whereby the leading edge of the original is introduced intoan original path d. Subsequently, the original is passed via theoriginal path b by the resist rollers 404, and fed and stopped on theplaten glass plane 101 by the full-surface belt 406, thereby invertingor turning the original. That is, the original is inverted in a pathconsisting of the original paths c→d→b. Moreover, the original of theoriginal bundle is fed one by one in a path consisting of the originalpaths a→b→c→e until one cyclical feeding of the originals is detected bythe recycle lever 409, whereby the number of originals can be counted.

The structure of the sheet (or paper) post-process unit 5 will beexplained hereinafter. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structureof the sheet post-process unit 5, and FIG. 5 is a perspective viewshowing an outward appearance of the unit 5.

The sheet post-process unit 5 is composed of a unit main body 501, a binunit (i.e., a sheet discharge unit) 502 and a stapler (i.e., a staplingunit) 510. The main body 501 has a pair of insertion rollers 504adjacent to an insertion opening 503. On a downstream side of the pairof insertion rollers 504, a flapper 507 is provided to switch the sheetfeeding direction into a feed path 505 or into a feed path 506. One feedpath 505 expands substantially in a horizontal direction, and a pair offeed rollers 508 is provided on a downstream side of the path 505. Theother feed path 506 expands substantially in a downward direction, and apair of feed rollers 509 is provided on a downstream side of the path506.

The stapler 510 is provided at a position adjacent to the pair of feedrollers 509. These feed rollers 504, 508 and 509 are driven by a feedmotor (not shown). A non-sort path sensor 511 is provided in the feedpath 505 to detect passing of the sheet, and a sort path sensor 512 isprovided in the feed path 506.

The bin unit 502 which has a number of bins B is provided on adownstream side the feed rollers 508 and 509. There is provided a springone end of which is engaged with a hook of the bin unit 502 and theother end of which is fixed to the unit main body 501, to hold weight ofthe bin unit 502. As a result, the bin unit 502 is supported to be ableto move or shift upwardly and downwardly. In the bin unit 502, guiderollers 513 and 514 are provided respectively at upper and lowerportions on a base edge side. Therefore, the guide rollers 513 and 514are rolled within a guide groove 515 expanding in both upward anddownward directions, so as to guide the bin unit 502 upwardly anddownwardly.

Further, a shift motor 516 is provided in the unit main body 501, and alead cam 518 is fixed to a rotational axis 517 which is axiallysupported by the unit main body 501. A tensional chain 519 is woundedabout an output axis of the shift motor 516, whereby rotation of theshift motor 516 is transmitted to the rotational axis 517 via the chain519.

Furthermore, the bin unit 502 has a unit main body 523 which is composedof a bottom frame 520 including an inclination portion and a verticalportion, a pair of frames 521 vertically provided on edge front and rearsides (in the drawing) of the bottom frame 520, and a cover 522supported by the pair of frames 521.

On the front side (in the drawing) of the bin unit main body 523, areference plate is provided to touch the sheets such that the sheets canbe aligned. On a rear side (in the drawing) of the bottom frame 520, afirst lower arm is supported to be rotatable by a first alignment motor(not shown). Further, at a position on the cover 522 which position isopposite to the first lower arm, a first upper arm is rotativelysupported via an axis which is identical with a support axis of thefirst lower arm. A first alignment rod 524 which is installed betweenedges of the first upper and lower arms is rotated by the firstalignment motor to align the sheets S on the bin B on the front side ofthe bin unit.

Similarly, on a front side (in the drawing) of the bottom frame 520, asecond lower arm is supported to be rotatable by a second alignmentmotor (not shown). Further, at a position on the cover 522 whichposition is opposite to the second lower arm, a second upper arm isrotatively supported via an axis which is identical with a support axisof the second lower arm. A second alignment rod 525 which is installedbetween edges of the second upper and lower arms is rotated by thesecond alignment motor to align the sheets S on the bin B on the rearside of the bin unit.

The first and second alignment motors are stepping motors, respectively.Positions of the first and second alignment rods 524 and 525 aredetected by an alignment rod home sensor, whereby the positions of therods 524 and 525 can be accurately controlled in accordance with thenumber of pulses supplied to the stepping motors.

Engaging plates are provided respectively on edge front and rear (in thedrawing) portions of the bin B. The engaging plates engage with supportplates provided inside the frame 521, whereby an edge side of the bin Bcan be supported. Further, the bin B has long holes 526 and 527. Thelong hole 526 is provided at a position which is apart from the supportaxis of the first upper and lower arms by a predetermined distance. Alength of the hole 526 is longer than a rotational distance of the firstalignment rod 524, and a width of the hole 526 is enough wider than awidth of the first alignment rod 524. Further, the long hole 527 isprovided at a position which is apart from the support axis of thesecond upper and lower arms by a predetermined distance. A length of thehole 527 is longer than a rotational distance of the second alignmentrod 525, and a width of the hole 527 is enough wider than a width of thesecond alignment rod 525.

A base edge portion Ba of the bin B is upwardly provided perpendicularlyto a sheet (or paper) holding plane Bb. The bin B is inclined in respectof the unit main body 501 at a predetermined angle such that an edgethereof is upward. Therefore, the sheet is slid downwardly on the sheetholding plane Bb by such inclination, and the trailing edge of the sheetbumps against the base edge portion Ba, whereby the leading and trailingedges of the sheets are aligned.

Further, on the bin B, a notch is provided at a position into which thestapler 510 is introduced, such that the bin B does not interfere withthe stapler 510. The first alignment rod 524 is being inserted in thelong hole 526 of bins B1, B2, . . . Bn, and the first alignment rod 524is rotated within the long hole 526 such that the sheets on the bin Bare aligned on the front (in the drawing) side. Similarly, the secondalignment rod 525 is being inserted in the long hole 527 of the bins B1,B2, . . . Bn, and the second alignment rod 525 is rotated within thelong hole 527 such that the sheets on the bin B are aligned on the rear(in the drawing) side.

The lead cam 518 is engaged with a part of the bin B such that the binunit 502 moves up and down along the guide groove 515 by rotation of thelead cam 518. One rotation of the lead cam 518 is detected by a lead camsensor 528 which is provided adjacently to a lead cam 529. A sort traysheet (or paper) presence/absence sensor 530 can detect whether thesheet or paper is present on the bin B.

The electrical stapler 510 which performs a stapling process for thesheets held in the bin B is provided adjacently to the pair of feedrollers (i.e., lower discharge rollers) 510. Further, the stapler 510 isprovided at a position perpendicular to a sheet inserting direction suchthat the stapler 510 can be forwarded or returned by a driving unit. Inan ordinary state, the stapler 510 is being sheltered at a firstposition (I) not to interfere the up and down movements of the bin B. Ina case where the sheet bundle on the bin B is stapled, the stapler 510is forwarded up to a second position (II) by the driving unit to performthe stapling process for the sheet bundle. After the stapling processterminated, the electrical stapler 510 is returned to the first position(I) by the driving unit.

Further, the electrical stapler 510 performs the stapling by rotation ofa motor (not shown). In case of stapling the sheets on the plurality ofbins B, the bin unit 502 is moved to a predetermined bin position afterthe stapling of the sheet on the bin B terminated, the stapler 510staples the sheet on the another bin B. The driving unit can rotate thestapler 510 in a direction indicated by an arrow R, and move (i.e.,slide) the stapler 510 in a direction indicated by an arrow Y.

However, in a case where the sheet was turned to be discharged, thestapler 510 is turned or upset by the driving unit. Further, in a casewhere an output image is rotated by an image rotation circuit 145(described later), the stapler 510 is slid in the direction indicated bythe arrow Y (FIG. 5) by the driving unit, in accordance with a detectedresult of a stapler position detection unit (not shown). After then, thestapler 510 performs the stapling in such a manner same as above. InFIG. 5, reference numeral 531 denotes a manual stapling key. In case ofdepressing the manual stapling key 531 after sorting terminated, thestapler 510 performs the stapling. Further, the sheet bundle on the bincan be pushed on and forwarded to the front (in the drawing) side by therotation of the first alignment rod 524.

The structure of a console and display showing a touch-explainedhereinafter. FIG. 6 is a plane view showing a touch-panel type consoleand display panel 600 which is provided on the main body composed of thereader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. On a console plane of the consoleand display panel 600, there is provided a display unit 601 which iscomposed of various keys, a liquid crystal display and the like (laterdescribed). The display unit 601 displays information as to states ofthe apparatus, the number of copies (i.e., the number of sheets orcopies to be copied), a magnification, sheet (or paper) selection andvarious operations.

On the console and display panel 600, reference numeral 602 denotes acopy start key which is depressed in case of starting the copy.Reference numeral 603 denotes a clear/stop key which has a clear keyfunction for releasing a setting mode when it is depressed duringstandby, and has a stop key function for stopping or interrupting theoperation when it is depressed during image recording. The clear/stopkey 603 is depressed in case of releasing the setting number of copies.Reference numeral 604 denotes a ten key which is depressed in case ofsetting the number of copies. Reference numerals 605 denote copy densitykeys which are depressed in case of manually adjusting a copy density.Reference numeral 606 denotes an automatic density adjustment key (i.e.,AE key) which is depressed in case of automatically adjusting the copydensity in accordance with an original density or in case of releasingan automatic density adjustment (AE) mode and switching the mode into amanual density adjustment mode.

Reference numeral 607 denotes a cassette selection key which isdepressed in case of selecting the plurality kinds of sheet cassettes204 and 205 (shown in FIG. 2) and the like. Further, in a case where theoriginal is being mounted or placed on the original feed unit 4, anautomatic sheet (or paper) selection (APS) mode can be selected by thecassette selection key 607. When the APS mode is selected, the cassettein which the sheet of which size is the same as that of the original isautomatically selected.

Reference numeral 608 denotes a same-size (original-size) key which isdepressed in case of obtaining the copy of which size is the same asthat of the original image. Reference numeral 609 denotes a zoom keywhich is depressed in case of designating a desired magnification withina range of 64% to 142%. Reference numerals 610 and 611 denotespredetermined-magnification zoom keys which are depressed in case ofdesignating predetermined-magnification reduction and enlargement.

Reference numeral 612 denotes keys which select operation modes of thesheet post-process unit 5. The keys 612 can select and release a sheetdischarge mode (i.e., staple mode). That is, in a case where the stapler510 capable of stapling the sheets after image recording is beingconnected, the keys 612 can select or release the staple mode or thesort mode, and further can select or release a folding mode (i.e.,sectional Z-shape mode or sectional V-shape mode) of the sheet on whichthe image recording has terminated. Reference numerals 613, 614 and 615denote keys which set various processes, e.g., a two-face mode process,a binder margin setting process, a photograph mode process,multi-processes, a page serial copy process, a 2-in-1 mode process andthe like.

The structure and operation of the local area network (LAN) 6 will beexplained hereinafter. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the structure ofthe network. The image formation apparatus which is composed mainly ofthe reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, the image input/output controlunit 3, the circulating-type automatic original feed unit 4 and thesheet post-process unit 5 is connected to the LAN 6 via the imageinput/output control unit 3.

The LAN 6 is the network which is connected with a plurality ofinformation equipments and can exchange data between the desiredequipments. A work station (WS) 7 and a personal computer (PC) 8 whichform, correct and display various documents are connected to the LAN 6for externally exchanging the data. A file server 9 is a large-capacitymemory unit which can be accessed from the image input/output controlunit 3, the WS 8, the PC 9 and the like via the LAN 6.

A telephone line 10 which is connected to the image input/output controlunit 3 is used for data transmission and reception to and from an otherfacsimile apparatus. Further, the reader 1, the printer 2 or the desiredequipment connected to the LAN 6 is used for accessing a distantequipment or network.

The core unit 308 will be explained hereinafter. FIG. 8 is a blockdiagram showing the structure of the core unit 308 which is provided inthe image input/output control unit 3.

In the core unit 308, a connector 131 which is connected to a connectorin the reader unit 1 via a cable is further connected to four kinds ofsignal lines. That is, an eight-bit multivalue video signal for onepixel flows in a first signal line 187, a control signal for controllingthe video signal flows in a second signal line 185, a signal forcommunicating with a central processing unit (CPU) in the reader unit 1flows in a third signal line 181, and a signal for communicating with asub CPU in the reader unit 1 flows in a fourth signal line 182. Afterthe signals flowing in the signal lines 181 and 182 are subjected to acommunication protocol process by a communication IC 132, these signalstransmit communication information to a CPU 133 via a CPU bus 183. Also,the CPU 133 measures various kinds of times.

The signal line 187 is a bi-directional video signal line. Therefore,via the signal line 187, the information supplied from the reader unit 1can be received by the core unit 308, while the information suppliedfrom the core unit 308 can be output to the reader unit 1. The signalline 187 is connected to a buffer 140, whereby such a bi-directionalsignal is divided or separated into two mono-directional signalsrespectively via signal lines 188 and 170. The eight-bit multivaluevideo signal for one pixel which was supplied from the reader unit 1flows in the signal line 188 to be input into a next-stage look-up table(LUT) 141.

The LUT 141 converts the image information supplied from the reader unit1 into a desired value by comparing such the image information with datastored in the LUT 141. An output signal from the LUT 141 is input into abinarization circuit 142 and a selector 143 via a signal line 189. Thebinarization circuit 142 has a simple binarization function forbinarizing the multivalue signal output to the signal line 189 by usinga fixed slice level, a binarization function for binarizing themultivalue signal by using a variable slice level in which the slicelevel varies from the value of a pixel on the periphery of a target (orremarkable) pixel, and a binarization function for binarizing themultivalue signal in an error dispersion (or diffusion) manner.

In a case where the binarized information has a value “0”, such theinformation is converted into the multivalue signal having a value“00H”, while in a case where the binarized information has a value “1”,such the information is converted into the multivalue signal having avalue “FFH”. Then, the converted multivalue signal is input into thenext-stage selector 143. The selector 143 selects either the outputsignal from the LUT 141 or the output signal from the binarizationcircuit 142. An output signal from the selector 143 is input into aselector 144 via a signal line 190. The selector 144 selects a signalline 194 via which output video (or image) signals from the facsimileunit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305, theformatter unit 306 and the image memory unit 307 are input into the coreunit 308 respectively via connectors 135, 136, 137, 138 and 139, and anoutput signal line 190 of the selector 143, in response to aninstruction by the CPU 133.

An output signal from the selector 144 is input into the rotationcircuit 145 or a selector 146 via a signal line 191. The rotationcircuit 145 has a function for rotating the input image signal at anglesof +90, −90 and +180 degrees. After the information output from thereader unit 1 was converted into a binary signal by the binarizationcircuit 142, the rotation circuit 145 stores the obtained binary signalas the information from the reader unit 1. Subsequently, in response tothe instruction from the CPU 133, the rotation circuit 145 rotates andread the stored information.

The selector 146 selects either one of an output signal from therotation circuit 145 via a signal line 192 and an output signal from theselector 144 via a signal line 192A, and outputs the selected signal tothe connector 135 connecting the facsimile unit 301, the connector 136connecting the file unit 304, the connector 137 connecting the networkinterface unit 305, the connector 138 connecting the formatter unit 306,the connector 139 connecting the image memory unit 307 and a selector147, via a signal line 193.

The signal line 193 is a sync-type eight-bit mono-directional video buswhich transfers the image information from the core unit 308 to thefacsimile unit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305,the formatter unit 306 and the image memory unit 307.

Further, the signal line 194 is a sync-type eight-bit mono-directionalvideo bus which transfers the image information to the facsimile unit301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305, the formatterunit 306 and the image memory unit 307. A video control circuit 134controls these sync-type buses, i.e., the signal lines 193 and 194.Concretely, these buses are controlled in response to an output signalfrom the video control circuit 134 via a signal line 186. In addition,the connectors 135 to 139 are connected with the signal line 184.

The signal line 184 is a bi-directional (two-way) 16-bit CPU bus, and adata command is exchanged in a non-sync system or manner via the signalline 184. The information can be transferred from the core unit 308 tothe facsimile unit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit305, the formatter unit 306 and the image memory unit 307, via theabove-described two video buses 193 and 194 and the CPU bus 184.

The signals which are supplied from the facsimile unit 301, the fileunit 304, the network interface unit 305, the formatter unit 306 and theimage memory unit 307 are input into the selectors 144 and 147,respectively. The selector 144 inputs the signal from the signal line194 into the next-stage rotation circuit 145, in response to theinstruction from the CPU 133.

Further, the selector 147 selects the signals from the signal lines 193and 194, in response to the instruction from the CPU 133. The outputsignal from the selector 147 via a signal line 195 is input into apattern matching circuit 148 and a selector 149. The pattern matchingcircuit 148 performs pattern matching between a pattern of the inputsignal from the signal line 195 and a predetermined pattern. If thepatters are matched with each other, the pattern matching circuit 148outputs a predetermined multivalue signal to a signal line 196. On theother hand, if the patterns are not matched with each other, the patternmatching circuit 148 outputs the signal from the signal line 195 to thesignal line 196.

The selector 149 selects the signals from the signal lines 195 and 196,in response to the instruction from the CPU 133. The output signal fromthe selector 149 via a signal line 197 is input into a next-stage LUT150. In case of outputting the image information to the printer unit 2,the LUT 150 converts the input signal from the signal line 197 such thatthe input signal is matched with an output density of a printer. Aselector 151 selects the output signal from the LUT 150 via a signalline 198 and the signal from the signal line 195, in response to theinstruction from the CPU 133.

The output signal from the selector 151 is input into a next-stageenlargement circuit 152 via a signal line 199. The enlargement circuit152 can set enlargement magnifications in X and Y directionsindependently, in response to the instruction from the CPU 133. In thiscase, the magnification is enlarged in a primary linear interpolationmethod. An output signal from the enlargement circuit 152 is input intothe buffer 140. The signal which was input into the buffer 140 is outputas the bi-directional signal in response to the instruction from the CPU133. The output bi-directional signal from the buffer 140 is supplied tothe printer unit 2 via the connector 131, and then the signal input intothe printer unit 2 is printed on a recording sheet or paper as thevisible image.

The operation of the core unit 308 will be explained hereinafter. Incase of outputting the information to the facsimile unit 301, the CPU133 performs the communication to a CPU of the reader unit 1 via thecommunication IC 132, to output an original scan instruction. Inresponse to such the instruction, the scanner unit 104 scans theoriginal whereby the reader unit 1 outputs the image information to theconnector. The reader unit 1 and the image input/output control unit 3are connected to each other by the cable, and thus the information fromthe reader unit 1 is input into the connector 131 in the core unit 308.Then, the image information input into the connector 131 is furtherinput into the buffer 140 via the multivalue eight-bit signal line 187.

The buffer 140 inputs the bi-directional (two-way) signal from thesignal line 187 into the LUT 141 as a mono-directional (one-way) signalvia the signal line 188, in response to the instruction from the CPU133. The LUT 141 converts the image information from the reader unit 1into a desired value by using the data in the table. For example, abackground substrate of the original can be skipped over. The outputsignal from the LUT 141 is input into the next-stage binarizationcircuit 142. The binarization circuit 142 converts the eight-bitmultivalue signal from the signal line 189 into the binarization signal.Further, if the binarized signal has the value “0”, the binarizationcircuit 142 converts it into the multivalue signal having the value“00H”, while if the binarized signal has the value “1”, the binarizationcircuit 142 converts it into the multivalue signal having the value“FFH”. The output signal from the binarization circuit 142 is input intothe rotation circuit 145 or the selector 146 via the selectors 143 and144.

Also, the output signal from the rotation circuit 145 is input into theselector 146, and the selector 146 selects one of the signal from thesignal line 191 and the signal from the signal line 192. To select thesignal is determined in such a manner that the CPU 133 performs thecommunication with the facsimile unit 301 via the CPU bus 184. Theoutput signal from the selector 146 is sent to the facsimile unit 301via the connector 135.

Subsequently, it will be explained hereinafter a case where theinformation is received from the facsimile unit 301. The imageinformation from the facsimile unit 301 is transferred to the signalline 194 via the connector 135. The signal from the signal line 194 isinput into the selector 144 and the selector 147. In a case where theimage at facsimile reception time is rotated and then output to theprinter unit 2 in response to the instruction from the CPU 133, thesignal input into the selector 144 is subjected to a rotational processby the rotation circuit 145. The output signal from the rotation circuit145 is input into the pattern matching circuit 148 via the selectors 146and 147.

On the other hand, in a case where the image at facsimile reception timeis not rotated but is output to the printer unit 2 as it is in responseto the instruction from the CPU 133, the signal input into the selector147 via the signal line 194 is then input into the pattern matchingcircuit 148. The pattern matching circuit 148 has a function forsmoothing unevenness in the image at facsimile reception time. Thesignal to which the pattern matching has been performed is input intothe LUT 150 via the selector 149.

In order to output the facsimile-received image to the printer unit 2with a desired density, the table in the LUT 150 is made variable by theCPU 133. The output signal from the LUT 150 is input into theenlargement circuit 152 via the selector 151. The enlargement circuit152 performs the enlargement process on the eight-bit multivalue signalwhich is one of the two values (“00H” and “FFH”), in the primary linearinterpolation manner. The eight-bit multivalue signal output from theenlargement circuit 152 is transferred to the reader unit 1 via thebuffer 140 and the connector 131.

The reader unit 1 inputs such the obtained signal into an externalinterface switch circuit via the connector. The external interfaceswitch circuit inputs the signal from the facsimile unit 301 into a Y(yellow) signal generation and detection circuit. Then, an output signalfrom the Y signal generation and detection circuit is subjected to suchthe same process as described above, and then output to the printer unit2, whereby the image is formed on an output sheet or paper.

Then, it will be explained hereinafter a case where the information isoutput to the file unit 304. The CPU 133 performs the communication withthe CPU of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 132 to output theoriginal scan instruction. In response to the instruction, the scannerunit 104 in the reader unit 1 scans the original to output the imageinformation to the connector. The reader unit 1 and the imageinput/output control unit 3 are connected with each other via the cable,and thus the information from the reader unit 1 is input into theconnector 131 of the core unit 308. The image information which has beeninput into the connector 131 is then output as the mono-directionalsignal by the buffer 140. The signal which is the multivalue eight-bitsignal and supplied from the signal line 188 is converted into a desiredsignal by the LUT 141. The output signal from the LUT 141 is input intothe connector 136 via the selectors 143, 144 and 146.

That is, the eight-bit multivalue signal is transferred to the file unit304 as it is, without using the functions of the binarization circuit142 and the rotation circuit 145. In a case where the signal which wasbinarized by the communication with the file unit 304 via the CPU bus184 of the CPU 133 is subjected to filling (i.e., storing into theexternal memory unit 303), the functions of the binarization circuit 142and the rotation circuit 145 are used. The explanation of thebinarization process and the rotational process are omitted in this casebecause these processes are the same as those in case of outputting theinformation to the facsimile unit 301.

Subsequently, it will be explained a case where the information isreceived from the file unit 304. The image information from the fileunit 304 is input into the selector 144 or 147 via the connector 136 andthe signal line 194. In case of performing the filing of the eight-bitmultivalue signal, the image information from the file unit 304 can beinput into the selector 147, while in case of performing the filing ofthe binary signal, the image information from the file unit 304 can beinput into the selector 144 or 147. In case of performing the filing ofthe binary signal, the process is the same as that in case of receivingthe information from the facsimile unit 301, whereby the detailedexplanation thereof is omitted.

In case of performing the filing of the multivalue signal, the outputsignal from the selector 147 is input into the LUT 150 via the selector149. Then, the LUT 150 forms the look-up table such that the density ofthe signal from the selector 147 is matched or coincided with thedesired printing density of the printer unit 2, in response to theinstruction from the CPU 133. The output signal from the LUT 150 isinput into the enlargement circuit 152 via the selector 151. Theeight-bit multivalue signal, which has been interpolated by theenlargement circuit 152 such that the image is enlarged with the desiredmagnification, is transferred to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 140and the connector 131. The information of the file unit 304 which hasbeen transferred to the reader unit 1 is output to the printer unit 2 inthe same manner as that in case of the facsimile unit 301, whereby theimage is formed on the output sheet or paper.

The network interface unit 305 includes a plurality of interfaces forperforming communication with interfaces of an SCSI system, an RS232Csystem and a Centronics system, and the unit 305 connects the imageinput/output control unit 3 with the computer. Further, the networkinterface unit 305 includes the above-described three kinds ofinterfaces, and the information from each interface is transferred tothe CPU 133 via the connector 137 and the data bus 184. Then, the CPU133 performs various controlling on the basis of the contents of thetransferred information.

The formatter unit 306 has a function for developing the command datasuch as a document file transmitted from the network interface unit 305,into the image data. If the CPU 133 judges that the data transferredfrom the network interface unit 305 via the data bus 184 is the dataconcerning the formatter unit 306, the CPU 133 transfers such the datato the formatter unit 306 via the connector 138. Then, the formatterunit 306 develops the transferred data into the memory, as a meaningfulimage such as a character, a figure and the like.

Subsequently, it will be explained hereinafter a procedure where theinformation from the formatter unit 306 is received to perform the imageformation on the output sheet or paper. The image information from theformatter unit 306 is transferred to the signal line 194 via theconnector 138, as the multivalue signal having either one of the twovalues (“00H” and “FFH”). The signal from the signal line 194 is inputinto the selectors 144 and 147. The selectors 144 and 147 are controlledin response to the instruction from the CPU 133. The following processesare the same as those in case of receiving the information from thefacsimile unit 301, whereby the explanation thereof is omitted.

It will be then explained a case where the information is output to theimage memory unit 307. The CPU 133 performs the communication to the CPUof the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 132, to output theoriginal scan instruction. In the reader unit 1, the scanner unit 104scans the original in response to the instruction from the CPU 133 tooutput the image information to the connector. The reader unit 1 and theimage input/output control unit 3 are connected to each other via thecable, whereby the information from the reader unit 1 is input into theconnector 131 of the core unit 131. The image information which has beeninput into the connector 131 is transferred to the LUT 141 via theeight-bit multivalue signal line 187 and the buffer 140.

The output signal from the LUT 141 is transferred as the multivalueimage information to the image memory unit 307 via the selectors 143,144, 146 and the connector 139. The image information stored in theimage memory unit 307 is transferred to the CPU 133 via the CPU bus 184of the connector 139. Then, the CPU 133 transfers the data transferredfrom the image memory unit 307, to the network interface unit 305. Thenetwork interface unit 305 transfers the data to the computer by usingthe desired interface to be selected from among the three kinds ofinterfaces (i.e., SCSI, RS232C and Centronics interfaces).

Subsequently, it will be explained hereinafter a case where theinformation is received from the image memory unit 307. Initially, theimage information is transferred from the computer to the core unit 308via the network interface unit 305. If the CPU 133 of the core unit 308judges that the data transferred from the network interface unit 305 viathe CPU bus 184 is the data concerning the image memory unit 307, theCPU 133 transfers such the data to the image memory unit 307 via theconnector 139. Then, the image memory unit 307 transfers the obtaineddata to the selector 144 or 147 via the connector 139 and the eight-bitmultivalue signal line 194. In response to the instruction from the CPU133, the output signal from the selector 144 or 147 is output to theprinter unit 2 in the same manner as that in case of receiving the datafrom the facsimile unit 301, whereby the image is formed on the outputsheet or paper.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flow charts showing the procedure of the operationprocess (i.e., the process based on the control by the CPU 133 of thecore unit 308) of the image formation apparatus.

Initially, it is judged or observed whether or not the image data istransferred from the WS 7 or the PC 8 both connected to the LAN 6 to alocal server (composed of the image memory unit 307 and the like) viathe file server 9 (step S101).

In a case where the image data was transferred, it is then checked inthe local server whether or not there is a vacancy which is enough tostore the transferred image data (step S102). If there is the enoughvacancy, the transferred image data is once stored in the local serverprovided in the image formation apparatus (step S103).

Subsequently, it is judged whether or not there is an output request forthe image data stored in the local server (step S104). Such the outputrequest is generated or produced when the copy start key 602 shown inFIG. 6 is depressed by an operator. Also, the output request can begenerated by depressing the ten key 604 (i.e., by inputting a passwordor the like).

When the output request for the image data stored in the local server isgenerated, the operation state of the printer unit 2 is checked. Then,if the printer unit 2 is free, the image data is transferred to theprinter unit 2 to be output on the sheet as the visible image (stepsS105 and S106). As an output from at that time, there can be performedadditional processes (e.g., stapling, sorting, both-face image forming,size reducing and the like) which are substantially the same as those incase of copying the ordinary originals. In this case, if the printerunit 2 is performing the previous process, e.g., outputing of thefacsimile-received image data, when the copy start key 602 is depressed,the transferred image data is output after the presently-performingprocess terminated. When the image data stored in the local server wasoutput from the printer unit 2, such the image data is automaticallydeleted in the local server (step S107).

On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S102 that there is noenough vacancy in the local server, it is then judged or checked whetheror not the image data which has not been requested to be output though apredetermined time elapsed (e.g., one day or few hours) after the imagedata was input (or stored) in the local server (step S108).

In a case where there is the image data which has not been requested tobe output for the predetermined time in the local server, it is thenjudged or checked in the local server whether or not there isdiscrimination information which represents importance of the contentsof such the image data (step S109). As the discrimination information,there have been provided the processing contents, e.g., representingeither one of transferring, outputting and deleting (or discarding),which are to be performed when the output of the stored image data isnot performed within the predetermined time, and then the image data isprocessed on the basis of such the contents.

In a case where the image data which has not been requested to be outputfor the predetermined time does not have any discrimination information,the WS 7 or the PC 8 of the transmission source (or transfer source) ofsuch the image data is discriminated, and then an alarm message is sentor transmitted to the WS 7 or the PC 8 of such the transmission source(step S110). As the alarm message, e.g., “transfer”, “output” or“deletion (or discard)” is transmitted. Then, such the image data isprocessed on the basis of a response from the transmission source towhich the alarm message was sent.

In a case where the transmission source of the image data which receivedthe alarm message desires to transfer (i.e., evacuate) the image data,the transmission source instructs “transfer” by using the WS 7 or the PC8. Further, in a case where the transmission source desires to outputthe image data, the transmission source instructs “output”. Furthermore,in a case where the image data may be deleted, the transmission sourceinstructs “deletion”. On the other hand, if there is no response to thealarm message from the transmission source, it is considered that thetransmission source instructs “deletion”, and then the correspondingimage data is processed according to such “deletion” instruction (stepS111).

In the case where the response to the alarm message is “transfer” or inthe case where the discrimination information represents “transfer”, thecorresponding image data is transferred (or returned) to thetransmission source (step S112), whereby the corresponding image data isdeleted in the local server (step S107). In the case where the responseto the alarm message is “output”, in the case where there is noresponse, or in the case where the discrimination information represents“output”, the corresponding image data is read from the local server andthen forcedly output (step S113). As such an output method at that time,if the printer unit 2 is operating for other process, the printing isperformed after the printer unit 2 became free. On the other hand, ifthe printer unit 2 does not operate, the printing is performedimmediately. When the output of the image data normally terminated, thecorresponding image data is deleted in the local server (step S107).

Further, in the case where the response to the alarm message is“deletion” or in the case where the discrimination information is“deletion”, the corresponding image data is transferred to thelarge-capacity file server 9 which is connected to the LAN 6 (stepS114), and then the core unit 308 transmits to the WS 7 or the PC 8 ofthe image data transmission source the message for notifying that thecorresponding image data has been transferred to the file server 9 onthe LAN 6 (step S115). When the transfer of the image data to the fileserver 9 connected to the LAN 6 terminated, the corresponding image datais deleted in the local server (step S107).

In a case where the enough vacancy could be provided in the local serveras a result of the processes in the steps S108 to S115, thepresently-transmitted image data (i.e., transmitted at this time) isstored in the local server. Then, in the same manner as that in the casewhere the local server originally has the enough vacancy, the storedimage data is output in response to the operator's output request bydepressing the copy start key 602 or the like.

On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S108 that there is nocorresponding image data in the local server, a message is transmittedto the WS 7 or the PC 8 of the transmission source of thepresently-transmitted image data (step S116). As such the message, e.g.,“transfer” or “output” is transmitted (step S117). The transmissionsource which received the message instructs to output the image data incase of forcedly outputting the image data (step S118). On the otherhand, the transmission source instructs to transfer the image data incase of interrupting or stopping the process (step S119). In the casewhere it is instructed to forcedly output the image data, thetransmitted image data is not once stored in the local server but isdirectly output to the printer unit 2.

The discrimination information may include the time elapsing after theimage data was stored in the local server which time is obtained bycomparison in the case where the stored image data is not output,whereby the desired time is set for each image data. Further, theoperator arbitrarily sets such the time by using the ten key 604illustrated in FIG. 6. Therefore, such the time can be arbitrarily setin accordance with the storage capacity of the local server.Furthermore, in case of outputting the image data stored in the localserver, all the image data which exceed the setting time may be output,or only the image data according to the magnitude or size of thereceived image data may be output. Therefore, the local server can beused in accordance with various purposes.

The present invention can be applied to a system constructed by aplurality of equipments (e.g., host computer, interface equipment,reader, printer and the like) or can be also applied to an apparatuscomprising one equipment (e.g., copy machine, facsimile machine).

The invention employed by a method whereby program codes of a softwareto realize the functions of the foregoing embodiments are supplied to acomputer in an apparatus or a system connected to various devices so asto make the devices operative in order to realize the functions of theforegoing embodiments and the various devices are operated in accordancewith the programs stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system orapparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

In such a case, the program codes themselves of the software realize thefunctions of the foregoing embodiments, and the program codes themselvesand means for supplying the program codes to the computer, e.g., amemory medium in which the program codes have been stored construct thepresent invention.

As such a memory medium to store the program codes, e.g., it is possibleto use a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, an optomagneticdisk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM or thelike can be used.

It will be obviously understood that the program codes are included inthe embodiments of the present invention even in not only a case wherethe functions of the foregoing embodiments are realized by executing thesupplied program codes by the computer but also a case where thefunctions of the foregoing embodiments are realized in cooperation withan OS (operating system) by which the program codes operate in thecomputer or another application software or the like.

Further, it will be also obviously understood that the present inventionalso incorporates a case where the supplied program codes are storedinto a memory provided for a function expansion board of a computer or afunction expansion unit connected to a computer and, after that, a CPUor the like provided for the function expansion board or the functionexpansion unit executes a part or all of the actual processes on thebasis of instructions of the program codes, and the functions of theforegoing embodiments are realized by the processes.

Although the present invention has been described above with respect tothe preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to theforegoing embodiments but many modifications and variations are possiblewith the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A data processing apparatus comprising: an inputter, which inputsdata through a network from a terminal on the network; a memory, whichstores the data input by said inputter; an operation unit, whichoperates by a user manipulation; a printer, which prints an image basedon the data stored by said memory, in accordance with a usermanipulation by said operation unit; a determiner, which determineswhether the data which is to be used to perform a printing operation bysaid printer exists in said memory, without performing the printingoperation, after the elapse of a predetermined time period since thedata input by said inputter was stored in said memory; a controller,which controls said memory such that the data is stored in said memoryuntil said printer prints the image based on the data stored in saidmemory in accordance with the user manipulation by said operation unitfor causing said printer to perform the printing operation; and aninformer, which informs an alarm message to a user that has input thedata, via the terminal on the network, in response that said determinerdetermines that the data which is to be used to perform the printingoperation by said printer exists in said memory after the elapse of apredetermined time period since the data input by said inputter wasstored in said memory.
 2. A data processing apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a reader adapted to read an image on a documentand generate image data, wherein said printer prints the image based onthe image on the image data generated by said reader.
 3. A dataprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a responseto the alarm message which is informed by said informer, wherein saidcontroller controls the data stored in said memory in accordance withthe response received by said receiver.
 4. A data processing apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein said controller deletes the data stored insaid memory in accordance with the response received by said receiver.5. A data processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein saidcontroller prints the image based on the data stored in said memory inaccordance with the response received by said receiver.
 6. A dataprocessing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said controllertransfers the data stored in said memory to another terminal on thenetwork.
 7. A data processing apparatus comprising: an inputter, whichinputs data through a network from a terminal on the network; a memory,which stores the data input by said inputter; an operation unit, whichoperates by a user manipulation; a printer, which prints an image basedon the data stored by said memory, in accordance with a usermanipulation by said operation unit; a determiner, which determineswhether the data which is to be used to perform a printing operation bysaid printer exists in said memory, without performing the printingoperation, after the elapse of a predetermined time period since thedata input by said inputter was stored in said memory; a controller,which controls said memory such that the data is stored in said memoryuntil said printer prints the image based on the data stored in saidmemory in accordance with the user manipulation by said operation unit;a deleter, which automatically deletes the data stored by said memory inresponse that said determiner determines that the data which is to beused to perform the printing operation by said printer exists in saidmemory after the elapse of a predetermined time period since the datainput by said inputter was stored in said memory; and an informer, whichinforms an alarm message to a user that has input the data, via theterminal on the network, in a case where the data input by said inputteris to be deleted by said deleter.
 8. A data processing apparatusaccording to claim 7, further comprising a reader adapted to read animage on a document and generates image data, wherein said printerprints the image based on the image data generated by said reader.
 9. Adata processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said deleterdeletes the data stored by said memory in a case where a response fromthe user to the alarm message informed by said informer does not reach.10. A data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein saiddeleter deletes the data stored by said memory in accordance withidentifying information included in the data input by said inputter. 11.A control method of a data processing apparatus including a memory, anoperation unit and a printer, the method comprising: an input step ofinputting data through a network from a terminal on the network; astorage step of storing the data input in said input step, into saidmemory; an operation step of operating said operation unit by a usermanipulation; a printing step of printing with the printer which printsan image based on the data stored in the memory, in accordance with auser manipulation by said operation step; a determination step ofdetermining whether the data which is to be used to perform a printingoperation by said printing step exists in said memory, withoutperforming the printing operation, after the elapse of a predeterminedtime period since the data input in said input step was stored in thememory; a control of controlling said memory such that the data isstored in said memory until said printing step prints the image based onthe data stored in said memory in accordance with the user manipulationby said operation step for causing said printing step to perform theprinting operation; and an informing step of informing an alarm messageto a user that has input the data, via the terminal on the network, inresponse that it is determined in said determination step that the datawhich is to be used to perform the printing operation by said printingstep exists in the memory after the elapse of a predetermined the periodsince the data input in said input step was stored in the memory.
 12. Acontrol method of a data processing apparatus including a memory, anoperation unit and a printer, the method comprising: an input step ofinputting data though a network from a terminal on the network; astorage step of storing the data input in said input step, into saidmemory; an operation step of operating said operation unit by a usermanipulation; a printing step of printing with said printer which printsan image based on the data stored in the memory, in accordance with auser manipulation by said operation step; a determination step ofdetermining whether the data which is to be used to perform a printingoperation by said printing step exists in said memory, withoutperforming the printing operation, after the elapse of a predeterminedtime period since the data input in said input step was stored in thememory; a control step of controlling said memory such that the data isstored in said memory until said printing step prints the image based onthe data stored in said memory in accordance with the user manipulationby said operation step; a deletion step of automatically deleting thedata stored in the memory in response that it is determined in saiddetermination step that the data which is to be used to perform theprinting operation by said printing step exists in the memory after theelapse of a predetermined time period since the data input in said inputstep was stored in the memory; and an informing step of informing analarm message to a user that has input the data,via the terminal on thenetwork, in a case where the data input in said input step is to bedeleted in said deletion step.
 13. A computer-readable storage mediumwhich stores a program to achieve a control method of a data processingapparatus including a memory, an operation unit and a printer, themethod comprising: an input step of inputting data through a networkfrom a terminal on the network; a storage step of storing the data inputin said input step, into said memory; an operation step of operatingsaid operation unit by a user manipulation; a printing step of printingwith the printer which prints an image based on the data stored in thememory, in accordance with a user manipulation by said operation step; adetermination step of determining whether the data which is to be usedto perform a printing operation by said printing step exists in saidmemory, without performing the printing operation, after the elapse of apredetermined time period since the data input in said input step wasstored in the memory; a control of controlling said memory such that thedata is stored in said memory until said printing step prints the imagebased on the data stored in said memory in accordance with the usermanipulation by said operation step for causing said printing step toperform the printing operation; and an informing step of informing analarm message to a user that has input the data, via the terminal on thenetwork, in response that it is determined in said determination stepthat the data which is to be used to perform the printing operation bysaid printing step exists in the memory after the elapse of apredetermined time period since the data input in said input step wasstored in the memory.
 14. A computer-readable storage medium whichstores a program to achieve control method of a data processingapparatus including a memory, an operation unit and a printer, themethod comprising: an input step of inputting data though a network froma terminal on the network; a storage step of storing the data input insaid input step, into said memory; an operation step of operating saidoperation unit by a user manipulation; a printing step of printing withsaid printer which prints an image based on the data stored in thememory, in accordance with a user manipulation by said operation step; adetermination step of determining whether the data which is to be usedto perform a printing operation by said printing step exists in saidmemory, without performing the printing operation, after the elapse of apredetermined time period since the data input in said input step wasstored in the memory; a control step of controlling said memory suchthat the data is stored in said memory until said printing step printsthe image based on the data stored in said memory in accordance with theuser manipulation by said operation step; a deletion step ofautomatically deleting the data stored in the memory in response that itis determined in said determination step that the data which is to beused to perform the printing operation by said printing step exists inthe memory after the elapse of a predetermined time period since thedata input in said input step was stored in the memory; and an informingstep of informing an alarm message to a user that has input the data,via the terminal on the network, in a case where the data input in saidinput step is to be deleted in said deletion step.
 15. A data processingapparatus comprising: a receiver, which receives data from a hostcomputer; a memory, which stores the data received by said receiver; anoperation unit, which operates by a user manipulation; a printer, whichprints an image based on the data stored by said memory, in accordancewith a user manipulation by said operation unit; a determiner, whichdetermines whether the data not yet printed by said printer exists insaid memory after the elapse of a predetermined time period since thedata received by said receiver was stored in said memory; a controller,which controls said memory such that the data is stored in said memoryuntil said printer prints the image based on the data stored in saidmemory in accordance with the user manipulation by said operation unit;and a deleter, which automatically deletes the data stored by saidmemory in response that said determiner determines that the data not yetprinted by said printer exists in said memory after the elapse of apredetermined time period since the data received by said receiver wasstored in said memory.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, furthercomprising a connector which connects said apparatus to a network, thenetwork being connectable to a plurality of host computers.
 17. Anapparatus according to claim 15, further comprising an analyzer whichanalyzes the data received by said receiver, wherein said deleterdeletes the data based on the analyze result by said analyzer.
 18. Adata processing method comprising: a reception step of receiving datafrom a host computer; a storage step of storing in a memory the datareceived in said reception step; an operation step of operating by auser manipulation; a printing step of printing an image based on thedata stored in the memory, in accordance with a user manipulation insaid operation step; a determination step of determining whether thedata not yet printed in said printing step exists in the memory afterthe elapse of a predetermined time period since the data received insaid reception step was stored in the memory; a control step ofcontrolling the memory such that the data is stored in the memory untilsaid printing step prints the image based on the data stored in thememory in accordance with the user manipulation in said operation step;and a deletion step of automatically deleting the data stored by thememory in response that said determination step determines that the datanot yet printed in said printing step exists in the memory after theelapse of a predetermined time period since the data received in saidreception step was stored in the memory.
 19. A computer-readable storagemedium which stores a program to achieve a data processing methodcomprising: a reception step of receiving data from a host computer; astorage step of storing in a memory the data received in said receptionstep; an operation step of operating by a user manipulation; a printingstep of printing an image based on the data stored in the memory, inaccordance with a user manipulation in said operation step; adetermination step of determining whether the data not yet printed insaid printing step exists in the memory after the elapse of apredetermined time period since the data received in said reception stepwas stored in the memory; a control step of controlling the memory suchthat the data is stored in the memory until said printing step printsthe image based on the data stored in the memory in accordance with theuser manipulation in said operation step; and a deletion step ofautomatically deleting the data stored by the memory in response thatsaid determination step determines that the data not yet printed in saidprinting step exists in the memory after the elapse of a predeterminedtime period since the data received in said reception step was stored inthe memory.
 20. A data processing apparatus, comprising: a receiver,adapted to receive data m an input source; a memory, adapted to storethe data received by said receiver; an operation unit, adapted to inputa user a user manipulation; a printer, adapted to print an image basedon the data stored in said memory in accordance with a user manipulationfrom said operation unit; a determiner, adapted to determine whetherdata not yet printed by said printer exists in said memory within adetermined time period after the data received by said receiver wasstored in said memory; and a controller, adapted to control said memorysuch that the printing of the data stored in said memory is canceled anda storage area of said memory is released, automatically, in responsethat said determiner determines that the data not yet printed by saidprinter exists in said memory within a predetermined time period afterthe data received by said receiver was stored in said memory.
 21. Anapparatus according to claim 20, wherein said receiver receives the datavia a network.
 22. An apparatus according to claim 20, furthercomprising discriminator adapted to discriminate whether it isdesignated that the data is to be deleted in a case where the data notyet printed by said printe exists in said memory within a predeterminedtime period after the data received by said receiver was stored in saidmemory, wherein said controller controls that the printing of the datastored in said memory is canceled and a storage area of said memory isreleased in a case where said discriminator discriminates that it isdesignated that the data is to be deleted.
 23. A data processing methodcomprising: a receiving step of receiving data from an input source; astoring step of storing the data received in said receiving step, in amemory; an operation step of inputting a user manipulation; a printingstep of printing, by a printer, an image based on the data stored in thememory in accordance with user manipulation input in said operationstep; a determining step of determining whether the data not yet printedby the printer exists in the memory within a predetermined time periodafter the data received in said receiving step was stored in the memory;and a controlling step of controlling the memory such that the printingof the data stored in the memory is canceled and a storage area of thememory is released, automatically, in response that the said determiningstep determines that the data not yet printed by the printer exists inthe memory within a predetermined time period after the data received insaid receiving step was stored in the memory.